Plate Number 159. Jumping, running broad jump 1887

Eadweard Muybridge made this collotype print called "Plate Number 159. Jumping, running broad jump" in the late 19th century. These photographs broke down movement into a series of still images, revolutionizing how we understand motion. Muybridge was commissioned to produce this work in the United States in the 1870s, during a time of intense interest in scientific observation and technological advancement. His work was driven by a desire to capture and analyze motion, reflecting the positivist thinking of the era, which sought to apply scientific methods to understand the world. This was also the time of the rise of industry, the development of new photographic technologies and the professionalization of science. The photographs capture the dynamics of the human body. It also documented the culture of athleticism that was emerging at the time. To understand Muybridge's work fully, we can consult contemporary scientific journals, photographic archives, and social histories of the period. By situating art within its historical context, we reveal its meanings and significance.